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Dear list,

I'm toying with the idea to get into the jungle of recording my music. My impression is that the A&H ZED-R16 console would be an excellent choice for me as I'm just starting this.

However, I have several questions for the pros on this forum:
- How many different headphone mixes can this board provide during recording/tracking for the purpose of recording an entire band in the studio?
- What exactly is the purpose of a headphone distribution amp, other than distributing sound to various headphones:smile:? Does using a headphone amp add to the number of available mixes?

Thanks for the info,

Benji

Comments

dvdhawk Wed, 12/01/2010 - 23:17

The headphone distribution amp splits the signal (usually an aux send) to power multiple pairs of headphones. A good headphone amp will give each pair of headphones their own volume control - but it's only going replicate that one aux mix. If you want everybody to have their own personalized mix you have to buy additional gear and/or multiple headphone amps. The Oz Q-Mix HR-4 or [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.mackie.c…"]Mackie HMX 56[/]="http://www.mackie.c…"]Mackie HMX 56[/] are both pretty nifty headphone mixers. Up to 6 people can mix a stereo input with 4 auxes and adjust their own volume. But you'll have to find one used, I don't think either is available new anymore.

So many other personal mixer choices these days.

Boswell Thu, 12/02/2010 - 02:57

islandmusic, post: 357783 wrote: Dear list,

I'm toying with the idea to get into the jungle of recording my music. My impression is that the A&H ZED-R16 console would be an excellent choice for me as I'm just starting this.

However, I have several questions for the pros on this forum:
- How many different headphone mixes can this board provide during recording/tracking for the purpose of recording an entire band in the studio?
- What exactly is the purpose of a headphone distribution amp, other than distributing sound to various headphones:smile:? Does using a headphone amp add to the number of available mixes?

Thanks for the info, Benji

As others have said, there are 4 aux outputs on the Zed-R16. However, these are split as 2 pre-fader and 2 post-fader with no option to alter this, so you have to be a little careful when creating headphone mixes from all the auxes. If you are recording/tracking, you will be taking the digital outs from after the input pre-amps, so the rest of the board is available to use without interfering with the recording routes. If you were to get a little creative, you could generate another two mixes from the main and the phones (monitoring) outputs.

With the possible exception of the phones output of the board, all the mixes would need to go through an external headphone amp in order to drive one or more sets of headphones per mix.

islandmusic Sat, 12/04/2010 - 17:02

Thx all for your kind responses and your time!
I'm under the impression that a dedicated headphone mixer like the Mackie unit would fit my purpose best. I would put the drums on the main input and add the other instruments on the 4 dedicated inputs. Combined with the routing flexibility of the ZED board itself, this wold make a pretty formidable setup, methinks. :-)

Cheers,

Benji

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